The Davidson Institute Team and Nancy Robinson, Ph.D., teamed up to write this guidebook designed to help you assess certain aspects of your child’s readiness for early college entrance. Sources and tips are listed for financial aid, distance learning and correspondence options, college guides, alternative schooling and more.
The Davidson Institute Team and Nancy Robinson, Ph.D., teamed up to write this guidebook designed to help students assess certain aspects of their readiness for early college entrance. Tips and advice are provided on self-exploration, advantages and disadvantages, alternatives and preparation.
This website provides everything you need to know about AP exams and courses, including the benefits of participation, AP preparation, exam information, test subject areas as well as FAQ's.
Providing outreach, recruitment, and scholarships in order to expand early entrance opportunities to minority and under-represented students.
"The Profoundly Gifted Institute is a non-profit organization established to support and build programs on college campuses for children who work multiple years above age-level. We are a multi-age, intellectual peer learning environment that meets individual educational-challenges while fulfilling the social and emotional needs of children performing 5 or more years above age-level."
The California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE) is a program established by California law (Education Code Section 48412). If eligible to take the test, you can earn the legal equivalent of a high school diploma by passing the CHSPE. The CHSPE consists of two sections: an English-language Arts section and a Mathematics section. If you pass both sections of the CHSPE, the California State Board of Education will award you a Certificate of Proficiency, which by state law is equivalent to a high school diploma (although not equivalent to completing all coursework required for regular graduation from high school)
Authored by teachers Jill Reilly and Bonnie Featherstone, this is a necessary book for those starting the college planning process. Topics include: evaluation of the student's strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes; career exploration; taking the necessary tests; shopping for college; preparing college applications; campus visits; planning finances and other helpful tools.
This book is a must-have for any gifted or advanced learner planning to attend college. Sandra Berger, a nationally recognized expert on college and career planning for gifted students, provides a hands-on, practical guide to college planning in this revised edition. Berger leads students through the college planning process, moving from self-exploration, to college matching, to the application process. The author also provides useful, practical advice for writing college application essays, requesting recommendation letters, visiting colleges and acing the college entrance interview.
This unprecedented guide to the "coolest" colleges profiles forty of the most innovative and unusual schools in the country. Study on a cattle ranch where you work for your tuition. Spend winters snowed in with your classmates on a mountain in Vermont. Or try an experiential curriculum, where all of your classes are taught outdoors.
Each school features quotes from currently enrolled students. In addition, the book includes a mini-profiles of other "cool" schools, including: free colleges, women's and men's colleges, military colleges, Ivy League colleges, colleges with unusual facilities, colleges favoring minorities, and more.
This book by Michelle Muratori, identifies important issues that need to be discussed and choices that need to be made before and after one enters college. Muratori explores factors affecting academic, social, and emotional adjustment to college.
This book is a gold mine for families of all economic backgrounds who are homeschooling gifted children! Most homeschooling families do not have access to guidance services and must figure out the college entrance maze on their own, this book goes far in guiding parents and students through that process step by step. Multi-year planning is encouraged, and the book is sensitive to the unique issues of gifted college bound students coming from diverse backgrounds. At $10, the book is extremely reasonably priced.
This book by author C. Cohen is for homeschooling families who are looking in to college. The transition from homeschooling children to preparing them for success in college deserves both planning and preparation. As the parent of a homeschooler, you have many issues to consider besides academic excellence: fulfilling other people's expectations and standards, tackling standardized tests and application essays, and introducing your homeschooler to the atmosphere of a college campus.
Now you can direct your child confidently and effectively. This important addition to Prima's acclaimed homeschooling series is filled with tips and insider advice from homeschooling families whose children now attend the schools of their choice.
Ben Kaplan shares his scholarship-winning secrets in an intelligent and funny voice that's very student-friendly. This how-to guide is an helpful tool for students and parents.
This book is a guide for gifted kids who accelerate, home school or enter a college program. One author skipped high school and entered college at age 13, graduating at age 16. This book details the process she took, the social questions and answers on entering early college, how to research laws and generally how to prepare to accelerate.
Published by the University of Washington, this report is an overview of the second follow-up study discussing their early entrance program. It outlines the strengths, weaknesses, and evolution of various aspects including the fact that early entrants need a welcoming college or university environment. In addition, this report compiled by Kathleen Noble, Robert Vaughan, Christina Chan, Sarah Childers, Bryan Chow, Ariel Federow, and Sean Hughes reveals possible effects of acceleration and graduation rates.
My College Guide (MCG) is a publication designed for high-ability, college-bound sophomores and juniors. The magazine has been distributed to students in the national talent searches for nearly 15 years. MCG reaches students early in their college selection process and provides them with helpful information about selecting the right college. Students will also find in depth information on nearly a hundred schools, and students may order additional information using a reply card.
Adelphi offers two early admission plans to qualified students who want to enter college prior to graduating from high school: either concurrent enrollment or by enrolling directly as full-time undergraduate students. Advanced Placement options are also available.
This public college offers advanced admission to high school juniors and seniors on a part or full time basis. For part time students may earn up to 12 semester hours toward a degree at this college prior to high school graduation. High school students who wish to spend their senior year at Tech may apply for advanced admission as a full-time student.
This program allows high school students the opportunity to earn college credit while obtaining their high school diplomas. Students 16 and over receive a 50 percent discount on tuition.
At Allegheny College, secondary school students who wish to begin college study at the conclusion of the junior year may do so under a special enrollment plan.
Students may enroll in university courses prior to graduation when the combined enrollments (high school and college) during any one semester do not exceed normal academic load. Early entrance for high schools students who have not graduated is also available.
Candidates seeking admission to Bard before completing secondary school may be accepted if they have an exceptionally strong high school record and the recommendation of a guidance counselor or principal.
This alternative to the traditional high school is founded on the belief that many young people are ready and eager to do serious college work at age 16. It enables highly motivated students to move in four years from ninth grade through the first two years of college, earning the associate of arts (A.A.) degree as well as a high school diploma.
Early Admission allows exceptional high school students the opportunity to be admitted to Barnard in advance of their regular graduation date. Students who apply to Barnard through the Early Admission Program must demonstrate that they are academically and emotionally prepared for the rigors of college. Barnard Pre-College Program Summer Camp contains many options for summer acitivites as well!
Extremely capable students are welcome to apply for college admsission before they have completed the normal four-year secondary-school program. Bates College looks forward to enrolling those who think they are prepared scholastically, and are sufficiently mature personally and socially, to undertake college work.
Qualified students who would like to enter Bennington before completing high school may apply for early entrance. Financial aid is availiable to early entrants who receive a passing score on a federally approved “ability to benefit” test (the SAT and ACT do not qualify).
Applicants who have completed the junior year in high school but have not graduated may be considered for admission. Approval of such early admission is contingent on the student's meeting the normal entrance requirements (course units) and admission criteria.
Applicants for early admission must submit all credentials required of first-year students. In addition, they must submit letters of permission from their parents, a high school counselor, and their principal, as well as a letter stating why they wish to be considered for early admission.
High school students who have completed the junior year and have demonstrated the academic and personal maturity to begin college level work may enroll as full-time students at Bloomfield College.
Bluefield State College is a public college located in Bluefield, West Virginia and offers high school students the opportunity to take courses as a special or nonmatriculated student.
BU provides an early admission opportunity for exceptional students to enter undergraduate programs before graduating from high school. Applicants must have completed three years of secondary school and may apply only for September admission.
The BYU Concurrent Enrollment program provides high school seniors with the opportunity to participate in college-level courses while still enrolled in high school. By participating in this program, students will be exposed to the unique environment and learning style that BYU offers.
Highly qualified high school juniors may apply to Buffalo State for full- or part-time study during their senior year under the early admission program. Dual credit is also applied if student's high school agrees to have remaining high school requirements fulfilled by taking appropriate freshman courses at BSC.
Accelerated College Enterance (ACE) is a program by Cal State which encourages qualified high school students to enroll in university classes while completing regular school studies. Credits earned through this program may be applied to degree programs. High School students have the opportunity to study subject matter which may not otherwise be available to them. Students must maintain good academic standing with both the university and their high school.
CSU also offers an Academic Talent Search Program which provides alternative education to highly able and motivated students in grades 6 through 9.
Five-minutes from downtown L.A., this early entrance program allows outstanding young people to enter college as full-time students to pursue their baccalaureate degrees. Student from age 11 and up are accepted and have use of a suite of rooms on campus. All entering EEP students have a common schedule of curriculum. Additionally, EEP students are enrolled in the GE Honors Program, which provides select faculty and specially designed small classes with other University Honors students. Tuition costs are set by the regular fees charged by the University. The Washington Pre-College Test (WPCT, similar to the SAT I) is required to apply.
Community College of Vermont students include those still in high school, traditional-college-age students, adults of all ages seeking degrees or skill enhancement, and "life-long learners" taking courses for enjoyment. We welcome them all, and our enrollment process is designed not to exclude any, but to help each begin at the appropriate level and be successful in their courses. For this reason, the college may restrict enrollment in a particular course if a student's assessment scores or transcript do not indicate readiness.
DWC offers early admission to exceptionally well-qualified high school seniors who have not yet graduated, but have fewer than two units of high school course work remaining. Classes are kept small to allow you the opportunity to ask questions, discuss issues, and interact with your professors and fellow students.
The Early College program at Weber State University (WSU) allows high school students early enrollment in college courses. Students may remain a member of their high school class, while receiving college credit applicable to colleges and universities across the country. Students work with guidance counselors from both WSU and their high school, and their parents to determine a course of study. Detailed information about the program can be obtained by contacting the Early College program directly through the address on the website. GPA of 3.0 and ACT of 22 recommended.
High school juniors in the Atlanta area can take college courses at Emory while enrolled in high school. Students usually have completed the junior year in their secondary school and must follow the same admission procedures as candidates for regular college admission. The deadline to apply is June 15.
This University was ranked in the top 10 in three catagories in a study of more than 3000 college and university's websites and offers Advanced Placement and Advanced Standing Credit programs for high school students and homeschooled students are also encouraged to apply.
Friends University provides an education in the context of a Judeo-Christian perspective. Students are admitted based on their potential for achieving academic success. Early admission is open to high school seniors who are currently enrolled in high school. Concurrent enrollment is available to junior or senior high school students.
Harvard Extension School offers 100 online courses and a unique blend of traditional liberal arts and professional studies programs. Classes are offered to students students with various backgrounds and academic experience. The course tuition is the “lowest in the Boston area.”
Gifted students with exceptional records who have not completed their senior year in high school may be admitted to Hesston College by special action of the Dean's Office.
Established by legislative action in 2006, the Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science (KAMS) plans to be the state’s premier academic high school program for the best and brightest high school students. Based in part after successful programs in Missouri and Texas, KAMS is a unique residential learning experience that provides exceptional high school juniors and seniors a potent blend of college-level instruction by Ph.D. faculty; a high school diploma and 68 hours of college credit; and,
the option to receive an associate’s degree upon graduation.
The Lamar Early Access Program (LEAP) is a cooperative program between Lamar and participating high schools which allows high school seniors to take university courses in their high schools, taught by their high school teachers. Students enrolled in the program may receive both high school and college credit, concurrently, upon satisfactory completion of the course. The courses are regular offerings of the university, taught by carefully selected high school teachers who hold a master's degree in their teaching field.
This school offers an accelerated, two-year residential program for students academically talented in science, mathematics or technology. This challenging program of college coursework is for the academically talented student who would like to join a two-year residential program that replaces the junior and senior years of high school with college classes, earning credits and working with professors and other like-minded students.
NAASE, at the Belin-Blank Center for Gifted Education at the University of Iowa, gives gifted high school juniors the opportunity to complete university research and course work. Guidance counselors help students design a curriculum that is interesting, challenging, and achieves an undergraduate major. Students live and work with other high-achieving students in the Honors Residence Hall floor of the university. NAASE awards scholarships to students. The program requires a composite score of 30 on the ACT or SAT-I combined scores of 1300.
The Dual Credit Program allows high school students to enroll in college courses in postsecondary institutions (universities, colleges, and community colleges) prior to high school graduation, giving them enrichment opportunities and first-hand experiences with the requirements of college-level work. Dual credit students receive both high school and college credit simultaneously. Tuition and standard fees are waived by NMHU for students participating in this program.
Open Yale Courses provides free and open access to a selection of introductory courses taught by distinguished teachers and scholars at Yale University. The aim of the project is to expand access to educational materials for all who wish to learn. All lectures were recorded in the Yale College classroom and are available in video, audio, and text transcript format. Registration is not required and no course credit is available.
This college in Angwin, CA, allows students who have completed two years of high school and passed their California High School Proficiency Exam to apply for admission by advanced enrollment. Students are required to have a minimum grade-point average of 3.5, provide recommendations and go through an interview. Students who are looking for more academically challenging work benefit from this early college program.
PEG, the Program for the Exceptionally Gifted, offers an opportunity for bright and accomplished young women to complete college during their high school years. PEG students live in a fully supervised, state of the art residence hall with their true peers on the beautiful campus of Mary Baldwin College.
Located in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy tri-city area, this college is exclusively for women providing students the opportunity to combine undergraduate and graduate study in accelerated bachelor's/master's degree sequences. Launched in Fall 2003 for talented high school juniors considering college enrollment instead of their senior year, the program also serves homeschooled students who may be advanced in their study and ready to move on to college regardless of their age.
Scottsdale Community College is committed to offering high quality, affordable education. SCC offers two year degree programs in many disciplines as well as university transfer programs and special interest courses.
Shepherd College is a coed public four year college located in Sheperdstown, West Virginia that offers early admission for students who have completed three years of high school.
Gifted high school students can enter college early through the Early Entrant Program at Shimer College. Early entrants are automatically awarded a Robert Maynard Hutchins Scholarship in recognition of their academic potential.
This is the nation's only college of the liberal arts and sciences designed specifically for students of high school age. Most students enter Simon's Rock after completing the 10th or 11th grade, and follow programs leading to the Associate in Arts and Bachelor of Arts degrees in liberal arts. Also available from Simon's Rock:
Acceleration to Excellence Program- offering merit based scholarships
Summer Young Writers Workshop - offering summer writing classes
The Glendale Community College boasts of many claims to fame, including some of the highest-ranking test scores in the U.S. Many student services, ranging from testing to career counseling, are tailored to the realities of students' lifestyles. GCC strives to prepare students for their success in transferring to universities and other institutions; to get jobs and enhance employment; and to pursue their interests through lifelong learning.
By participating in Stillman's Advanced Placement programs, high school students with a 3.30 grade point average (4.00 scale), may be permitted to begin college work at Stillman before graduation from high school.
This University offers high school students a dual enrollment program after completing their junior year without graduating from high school. Students usually enter in the summer term.
The Advanced Academy of Georgia is a residential, early-entrance-to-college program for gifted and talented high school-aged students. Students are usually 11th & 12th graders, but they occasionally accept younger high ability students. The program is located on the University of West Georgia campus.
This early entrance college program, located in upstate New York, provides students a chance to take freshmen college classes during what would be the senior year of high school. Students will not receive a high school diploma as Clarkson does not grant high school diplomas. They take classes with other University students and usually carry a course load of 15 to 18 credits per semester for two semesters. Clarkson offers a degree program that permits students to design an individualized curriculum to meet personal career objectives.
This non-residential, dual-enrollment program is located in North Carolina, on the Guildford College campus. This early college program accepts students living in Guilford and is tailored for self-motivated students who wish to receive their High School diploma while accomplishing two years of undergrad work.
Western Kentucky University houses the Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky. The mission is to offer a residential program for bright, highly motivated Kentucky high school students who have demonstrated interest in pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
While completing their junior year in high school, exceptional applicants may be considered for early admission to the freshman class. Students enrolling via this option generally have only one or two remaining high school requirements, which they complete as part of their freshman course load at the university.
Certain high-school students are allowed to enroll in college-level courses in order to earn credits that apply to both undergraduate degrees and high-school diplomas. Students who have exceptionally high grades and high ACT or SAT scores and who have strong endorsements from their high schools and parents may also be considered for admission without completing the senior year of high school.
Secondary school students who have not earned a high school diploma can earn high school and college credit by taking courses at the University of Alaska, Anchorage.
UM offers an early route within the University structure for juniors who have exhibited superior achievement in high school and who desire to begin the first year of college instead of returning to the secondary school for their senior year. Approval from the superintendent, principal, guidance counselor, and parent or guardian are required to attest to the student's readiness for college. A Pre-College Experience Program is also available to juniors and seniors in high school.
As long as a student's junior year has been completed, exceedingly able and mature students may apply for admission and enroll in UM courses in lieu of completing their senior year of high school. The University also grants credit and/or advanced standing based on the Subject Examinations of the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), subjects completed under the Advanced Placement Program (AP) of the College Entrance Examination Board, and subjects completed through the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program.
This program accepts students who have the social and emotional maturity to function independently as college freshmen. Interested students should have a record of success in high school such as honors and AP or IB courses, summer programs, special talents in music, cinema, or the performing arts. The core curriculum is designed around small courses, which are taught by many of the University's faculty, and one-on-one tutorials.
Wake Early College allows students to graduate from high school in four or five years with a diploma and college credits. Graduates typically earn enough credits to secure an associate's degree and/or be able to enter a four-year college as a junior.
This Sioux City, Iowa school offers over 70 liberal arts and technical programs, including courses in fields such as Auto Collision Repair Technology, Pre-Dental Hygiene and Biotechnology. Courses are also taught in conventional fields, such as English and Education. There are also options at WITCC for students under 16 who wish to pursue a higher education through specific classes. Contact admissions for application process.
The University of Pennsylvania's College of General Studies offers an opportunity for academically exceptional local high school students to take college courses with Penn students and earn full college credit. The Young Scholars program is open to high school juniors and seniors.
This school allows gifted high schoolers to advance in their school careers at an amazing rate while remaining with peers of similar age and intelligence.
SLUH is a highly selective, Jesuit, four-year, private university that helps develop each student in an environment that fosters the growth of the whole person. Its curriculum is designed to challenge the abilities of students while engaging their interest. Also offered are a wide variety of summer programs for both grade school and high school students. Advanced Placement and Advanced College Credits can be earned through courses taught by high school teachers for both high school credit and college credit.
Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) partners with east valley high schools to offer dual enrollment credit for academic and occupational classes. Dual enrollment courses are held on high school campuses and are taught by high school instructors who have met community college hiring qualifications.
The Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program in Minnesota allows high school juniors and seniors to take courses, full- or part-time, at a post-secondary institutions for high school credit. PSEO provides students with a greater variety of class offerings and the opportunity to pursue more challenging coursework than may be available at their high schools. Tuition, fees and required textbooks are at no cost to students. The program is administered through the Minnesota Department of Education.
The Texas Academy of Leadership in the Humanities (TALH) is a public coeducational residential high school located in Beaumont, Texas. Academy students fulfill their junior and senior high school requirements by taking university classes and earning college credit. TALH is known as a highly selective high school for gifted and talented students eager for an enriched intellectual program enhanced by the disciplines of the humanities.
A co-educational pre-college program for rising high school juniors and seniors at Barnard in partnership with Columbia University. The Barnard College Summer in New York City program offers young men and women a unique opportunity to sample pre-college courses at one of the nation's premiere colleges -- while exploring New York City both in and out of the classroom. Whether you choose our four-week session, our one-week mini courses, or our Young Women's Leadership Institute, your studies could include visiting an art gallery, attending a poetry slam, or meeting city leaders.
Pre-College at MCA is an intensive residency program for approximately 40 motivated high school students that offers participants a chance to experience what life is like in an art school, to form friendships, and to earn college credit. The 4-week program allows students to focus on a major and work with that medium in-depth, developing specialized skills and a familiarity with the tools and materials. The curriculum also includes foundation classes in Drawing and Design.
The Davidson July Experience seeks to provide rising high school seniors the opportunity for a unique educational, social and creative three-week program on the campus of Davidson College.
The intent in this paper is to offer a personal perspective on the events that led to a major change in the SAT college admissions test. The new test will be in place for all students --nationwide--who must take the SAT as part of the admissions process for the college class entering in the fall of 2006. Hopefully, this account will be useful to those trying to change policies and practices deeply entrenched in our society.
CollegeAnswer.com is a website that helps with the planning process when trying to find the right college for your, or someone you know. It offers advice on finding a college, applying for college, paying for college, and much more.
College Confidential was founded to demystify many aspects of the college admissions process, and to help even "first timer" students and parents understand the process like 'old pros.' This website helps with topics such as:
College Search and Selection
College Admissions
Financial Aid and Planning
College Counseling
College Life
In this paper, Rosemary J. Perez compiles information from published literature, observations from the field, and personal communication to characterize gifted students and address the myths and realities of gifted student development.
The mission of the Early Entrance Foundation is to support educational programs that are specifically designed to permit academically talented students (ages 11-15) from diverse backgrounds to enroll in college as full time students, and to provide the support, guidance and counseling necessary to prepare them for success at the university level. The Early Entrance Foundation is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization founded in 2004. It is a working group of parents, alumni, students, and friends committed to the support of early entrance programs and their alumni.
College Results Online allows you to:
Examine overall graduation rates and see how those rates have changed over time
Learn about universities' records graduating diverse groups of students
Compare the graduation rates of similar institutions - colleges and universities that share many characteristics and serve similar student populations
This website by The College Board provides helpful information and links for homeschoolers preparing for college admission. Although designed for those applying for college at the traditional age, the information may be even more critical for those interested in full time early college admission. Links are included to relevant information and materials.
The Institute for Research and Policy on Acceleration (IRPA) is dedicated to the study of curricular acceleration for academically talented students. This is the map of the acceleration practices and policies in each of the 50 states.
This website is searchable education resource with links to information on colleges and universities, graduate programs, financial aid, test preparation, private secondary schools, distance learning, career education, summer opportunities, and studying abroad.
SchoolsintheUSA.com is a useful search engine for finding the right school. It allows you to search for what you are interested in and then shows you what schools are avialable. You can search by state, tuition, and even fields of study.
This publication profiles 22 different programs, schools, and policies that allow high schools to enroll in college-level courses and demonstrate that students who participate in these programs have better outcomes in terms of high school graduation and success in college.
This program allows students from small schools to graduate with an Associate of Arts degree or enough college credits to enter a four-year, baccalaureate program as a college junior. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, with Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Ford Foundation, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, has provided funding to establish more than 130 Early College High Schools by 2010.
This position paper written by Mary B. Marcy (2006 provost & vice president of the College), and posted on the website of Simon's Rock College of Bard, points out the benefits of exposing gifted teenagers to a college-level education by the age of 16. The author states the goal of an early college program is to stimulate these students and not allow for a wasted final two years of high school. The argument for early college is fully supported with a detailed list of personal and academic advantages, as well.
This article is compiled from selected excerpts from a testimonial written by a mother whose son is part of the Early Entrance Program at California State University, Los Angeles. In the article, she discusses her son's progress and experience in the EEP as well as background information leading up to this point in his education.
This website is packed with college-bound information including: learning how to plan for college; finding the right college and visiting campuses online; finding your dream job and learning how to get it; and learning about, calculating and applying for financial aid.
Xap is the first company to directly partner with associations and institutions of higher learning to develop regional, university-approved Mentor websites. A Mentor site, as its name connotes, utilizes the Internet to efficiently guide students through the comparison, selection, and application to admission and financial aid stages of preparing for college.